By PON_News
Notts County defender Rod McDonald has spoken about his frustration at the start of his time with the Magpies following his summer move from Harrogate Town.
The experienced 32-year-old centre-back joined on a two-year deal but is yet to make a league appearance due to an injury that side-lined him for several weeks.
McDonald, however, is set to make his league debut against AFC Wimbledon today and is eager to finally get on the pitch and help his new side push forward.
Reflecting on his first months with the club, McDonald shared how his initial time at Meadow Lane didn’t go as planned. "It’s always a bit frustrating when you come into a new place and want to hit the ground running," McDonald explained.
"For me, it was completely the opposite. I had the newborn baby when the boys went on a trip to Holland, so I didn’t go. Then, literally on the money, I came back and twisted my knee – just caught it. It had a little tweak in it, and it put me out for about eight to ten weeks."
McDonald’s absence came at a crucial time, but he has tried to look on the bright side, particularly appreciating the unexpected family time. "Sometimes stuff works in mysterious ways," he said.
"I’ve never really spent as much time with my kids as I have recently, so it’s been brilliant to be fair. Got a couple of grey hairs for it."
Despite his injury, McDonald noted how supportive everyone at the club has been during his recovery. "The lads were brilliant with me. It’s always difficult to try and mix in with a new club when you’ve got an injury," he said.
"The gaffer, Matt, and Richard have all been brilliant. They basically said, 'We know what you can do, just make sure you get yourself right and fit, and when you’re back, you’re back.'"
Now fully fit, McDonald has featured in a few EFL Trophy matches this season but admits he’s itching for league action. "I’ve come here to play in the league, not the EFL Trophy – no disrespect to it," McDonald stated.
"My focus is on playing in the league this season, and obviously I’ve got some stiff competition, but that’s what football is all about."
McDonald also praised the performances of his defensive teammates during his time on the side-lines. "All the boys have gelled really well together," he said.
"Young lad Louis Macari, I think he’s been excellent this season. Matty Platt, Jacob Bedeau, and even Rob Cundy when he stepped in – I think all the boys at the back have been brilliant. And Bassey’s been brilliant as well."
Looking ahead to the game against AFC Wimbledon, McDonald shared his thoughts on facing his former club, where he had an enjoyable spell. "It’s a great club to be at," McDonald said.
"We had one of the best FA Cup runs there, beating West Ham and getting Millwall. It was a great time on and off the pitch – the staff, players, and the people behind the scenes there are tremendous, and the fans are great."
However, McDonald made it clear that his focus is solely on securing three points for Notts County this weekend. "It’ll be nice to see them do well, but obviously not this weekend," he added with a smile.
With Notts County looking to bounce back at home following recent frustrations, McDonald is determined to help his team keep a clean sheet.
"You always want to win your home games, especially if you want to get promoted out of this league," he said. "Hopefully this weekend, we can score a couple of goals and try to keep a clean sheet."
For McDonald, today’s game represents a long-awaited opportunity to show what he can do in a Notts County shirt, and he is ready to make his mark on the pitch. At 32, his experience will be vital as the Magpies push for promotion this season.
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